hopeleslyobvious

Cam Ward is putting together a great run, but I would still give an edge to Miller. A slight edge, but an edge.

Good analysis. I disagree on one thing. I don't think the 3 losses to the Canes are indicative of how these two teams match up (for reasons I am pretty sure were mentioned above), I think the Canes were off their game towards the end of the regular season. So I honestly don't think we have really seen these two teams play when both were on top of their games. I am not going to make a prediction, because I really could see this series going either way.

I am really interested in the goaltending matchup because both goaltenders have come back with strong performances after bad games. Well I assume Ward was strong yesterday, I was listening on XM in the car.

Honestly I think we have to win tonight. If Ottawa wins tonight, I think it's going to be a lot harder to put them away. We need to score first tonight. If we jump out to a lead, Ottawa is going to have to open up a little bit, and we can take advantage of it and get some better chances on Emery.

Since Emery has not played well in either of his last 2 performances against us, another early goal could really get into his head. If we score early, we're going to score often and expect to see Morrison come in. If Emery can make a big save or two early, it could really help his confidence.

Um right. I would give Ottawa the slight edge in most departments, but I give the Sabres a slight edge in: Depth (while Ottawa has players on their third and 4th line that produce, I think the Sabres have more of them). Goaltending (Emery has a better defense, despite that Miller put up a better regular season save %. If you want to talk about playoff numbers, do the math. I am not one to not count goals that someone gave up, but Miller had what was pretty much an empty netter counted against him because he was not on the bench yet. Take that away, their SV%'s are identical). Coaching (On paper the Sens are a much better team than the Sabres, but Ruff has the whole equaling a lot more than the sum of it's parts. Add in the Sabres special teams, and I would give Ruff a slight edge).

And if anyone doubts what I said about Lundqvist: http://www.tsn.ca/nhl/news_story/?ID=164641&hubname=nhl

I disagree. While NJ did put a good winning streak together to end the season, I think their first round performance was skewed. Lundqvist looked nowhere near 100% and the Rangers were lost without Jagr. Regardless of how many games he was on the ice for, he was really only there for the first game.

Maybe they are proud that he gave up 5 goals to Russia?

My favorite was the USA chants for Esche. Apparently no one in Philadelphia watched his performance at the Olympics (or Monday for that matter).

That is the first difference I have noticed between DirecTV and Cable. The game cut off for me just as the broadcast went to commercial after the buzzer. The only time I have seen the shootout on CI was the night that number 16 was raised!

All I have to say to you, is you better have your Cup close by in your living room!

Good point, but remember in those first 30 seconds, Tallinder saved a goal as well.

I think they are going to keep pouring it on tonight. I expect them to come out with a lot of confidence, and jump out to an early lead and never look back.

I agree. While it might seem counterintuitive to not try and match up lines, we gotta go with the system that got us here. If the Flyers shorten up their bench, then they are going to have fatigued slower players on the ice. Our ability to roll 4 lines is our edge over most teams. We need to use it.

Ruff really hasn't tried to match lines too much this year, and I don't think he should start now. If we try and match lines, we can't roll 4 lines. I think rolling 4 lines is going to be a huge advantage throughout the series, especially late in games, and late in the series if it goes 6 or 7.

Thanks...not the same TSN, but still funny.

Do you have a link? I couldn't find on TSN's page.

Thank you!

Juju, where did you get your avatar?

It's official, Esche is starting for Philly. http://sports.yahoo.com/nhl/news;_ylt=AnN_...ov=ap&type=lgns

I'd like to see a strong effort so that we don't get swept by the Canes.

Just finished watching on Tivo. Miller looked great tonight, and it was nice to see them bounce back after a disappointing second period.

I was in class till 8 and watched on Tivo when I got home. If I came here or to the chat room as I watched the game, I would have ruined it for myself. :)

Tonight was just one of those nights that I was happy that I have Tivo. I drove down to Camden to see Death Cab for Cutie play, and that was just a great game to come back and watch...even if it kept me up this late. I hope that Miller builds on this strong performance and comes back to the form we were used to before the Olympic break.